New Manga Releases for the Week of March 8, 2016

This week is actually a rather slow one for new manga releases, with VIZ Media being the only North American publisher releasing any titles this week. With VIZ Media only putting out two manga titles this time (one through their regular imprint and one through their boys-love SuBLime imprint), it makes for rather a light week for manga releases.

Between the two titles that VIZ Media has coming out this time, I award my “Pick of the Week” Ranma 1/2 Omnibus Volumes 25-26. This is the 13th omnibus manga that has been released for this classic martial arts comedy series, which marks the first time that Ranma 1/2 has been released in an “unflipped” format. These omnibus releases for the series also includes remastered art.

Furinkan High’s newest teacher has a special martial arts ability that drains an opponent’s energy, transforming her from her childlike stature into a tall, sultry siren. Can Ranma defeat Hinako, or will he find himself in permanent detention? A sojourn to the region of Ryugenzawa reunites Akane with a boy from her childhood. But he’s dying of a deadly wound inflicted by Akane. The only thing keeping him alive is Ryugenzawa’s magical water, which is drying up. With doomed Shinnosuke on her conscience, will Akane decide to stay with him until the bitter end?

When Ritsu Onodera changes jobs, looking for a fresh start, he’s not exactly thrilled when his new boss turns out to be his old flame. Ritsu’s determined to leave all that in the past—but how can he when his boss is just as determined that they have a future?

Lesley Aeschliman is a freelance writer and blogger who writes about anime and manga. She served as the Anime Editor for BellaOnline for almost six years, and was also a contributor to Blogcritics.org's "Sixty Minute Manga" feature for almost two years. She also served as the Lead News Editor for the Digital Media FX website in the early 2000s. She has also been a columnist for MyAnimeList, a social media site for anime and manga fans.